LANGUAGE-BASED ACTIVITY

In the Midst of hardship

At dawn they returned home
their soaky clothes torn
and approached the stove
their limbs marked by scratches Group 1
their legs full of wounds
but on their brows
there was not a sign of despair

The whole day and night just passed

they had to brave the horrendous flood
in the water all the time Group 2
between bloated carcasses
and tiny chips of tree barks
desperately looking for their son’s
albino buffalo that was never found

They were born amidst hardship

and grew up without a sigh or a complaint
now they are in the kitchen, making Group 3
jokes while rolling their ciggarete leaves
 SYNOPSIS
 In this poem, the poet tells of the situation of a farmer
and his family. They come back at dawn after being out
in the floodwater for a day and night. They are looking
for their albino buffalo. They come back wet and hurt
but they do not show any despair. They have been born
into a life of hardship and have never complained. Now,
they are in the kitchen and they joke and talk while
preparing to relax with a smoke.
STANZA 1
 They returned home at dawn and headed for the stove.
Their clothes were soaking wet and tattered. Their bodies
were covered with scratches and wounds. Yet, they did
not display any signs of being worried.
STANZA 2
 They were out in the flood the whole day and night.
They were surrounded by dead animals and parts of trees
that had been destroyed by the flood. They searched
desperately for their son’s albino buffalo but were unable
to find it.
STANZA 3
 They were born into poverty and difficulty, but they do
not complain about their suffer. Instead, they sit in the
kitchen, cracking jokes while smoking cigarettes.
WHILE-READING STAGE
LANGUAGE-BASED ACTIVITY
CHORAL READING

 Students are divided into three groups.

 Each group is given a stanza with the stress marks on the
part to be stressed.
 Students from each group will take turn to recite the
poem.
IDENTIFYING THE MAIN POINTS OR
IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN A PIECE OF
DISCOURSE.

 Students are divided into 6 groups.

 One similar stanza is given to 2 groups.

 Students are asked to paraphrase the stanza for its literary

meaning using their own words.
 Each group has to present their work.

 Teacher discusses the students’ works and compare it to

teacher’s sample.